Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-02-16
LOVELY SONG BIRDS.
Prisoners Who Spend Their Time
in Singing Pretty Tunes.
The Universal Canary-Java Sparrows
That Can Learn Clever Tricks-Popu-
larlty of the Parrot With Old
Maids-Other Pretty Pets.
lChicago News.1

tChicago News.1
''No Feeding Allowed; No Admittance
Except on Businessr' Such was the stern
mandate announced in startling letters on
red sign boards that graced several por-
tions of spacious store, with an expan-
sive front, on Madison street. Despite the
rules a reporter ventured to cross the
threshold few nights ago and found him
self in the midst of a prison. Peeping
from between the bars of their cells all
round the walls of the place were hun
dreds of prisoners, who, unlike those in
Cook County jail, seemed to be quite con-
tented and even gay, for the place was
vocal with the music of the many sweet
songs that several hundreds OF swelling
throats trilled forth from behind the bars
of the prisons. The difference in the de-
meanor of these captives from that which
is generally associated with the idea of
bondage is easily explained. The little
prisoners were neither more nor less than
collection of song-birds of every cline
and almost Of every species.
On the left of the entrance were piled
one over the other a number of square
cages with bright wire bars. The occu-
pants of these gilded prisons were Java
sparrows. From that far Eastern land
they had been brought in durance vile,
and now in the strange climate of Chicago
they awaited the purchaser who was to be
their future master or mistress. Nothing
could be more unlike the cheerful, chirrup-
ing English sparrow than this Eastern
bird. He is entirely different in his plum
age, which on the body is of a dark
brownish hue, while his head is orna.
mented with a scarlet plUmage, the bill
being very much too thick in proportion to
the head for symmetry and of q snowy
white color. This strange contrast be-
tween the color of the bill and the plum
age of the head has startling effect and
gives the bird much of that portentous ap-
pearance which the long white wig con-
fers upon a judge in an English court.
AS the Java sparrow stands upon one leg,
with its little head and great beak turned
sideways with a contemplative air he
looks an unusually grave and solemn bird.
''Do they sing. Bless you. no." said the
proprietress. ''They scarcely ever even
chirrup. But you asked what are they
good for, any way, or who buys them!
Well, l need scarcely say they are not
bought for ornament, and yet we find a
ready sale for them. These birds are
easily taught variety of tricks, among
their other accomplishments being the
ability, with little coaching, to tell for
tunes. Doubtless you have often stood in
a crowd surrounding a strolling Italian
and watch ed him exhibit one of these lit
tie birds, who, at the bidding of its owner
will pluck up in its bill from the bottom Of
its cage little slips of paper, on which are
printed the fortunes of its owners pa
irons.
''The mocking-bird we find the most diff
ficult to raise in this climate. He is very
tender bird and requires spec ial class OF
food and an even and genial temperature
They generally go to the house of the
rich.
"Canaries are tn birds of all men and
Of all classes They are to be found in the
home OF the poor as we'll as of the rich
They are undoubtedly the most musical OF
all birds, as we know to our cost. Some
times they keep up permanent chorus
here from morn ing till night, and will not
cease even in the nigh time until the lights
are all turned down. You see all those
confined in small, white, wooden cages.
They are all imported from the Hartz
Mountains, and the manufacture of the
little white twig cages, as g. we'll as the
raising and expectation of canary birds,
has grown to be quite an industry among
those iegend-haunted hills.
'Here are number of parrots of all
sizes and colors. These also are largely
sought for by people OF all ranks and sta
tionS of life, but, notwithstanding this
there is one particular line Of people with
whom parrots find readiest sale. l allude
TO old bachelors and old maids.
The parrot is the pet bird of these
soured and lonely folks. Lone
widowers, and widows, too. who find il
impossible to make a second mash often
seek 10 supply the want by buying parrot
which has been taught to say my dear
There is an idea that parrots have ten
dency to profanity, being much more easily
taught 10 swear than to pray but this is a
mistake. Parrots are perfectly indiffer.
ent, and can be made to sing hosannahs
with as much apparent vim as TO bias.
pEeme or swear.
''The nightingale is also very delicate
bird and is a great favorite, but they arc
comparatively scarce. There is another
mistaken idea in connection with this
bird. Many people believe that it does not
sing in captivity, but the contrary is the
fact.
Here is the bird that finds most favor
among the sons of the Emerald Isle,-
said the speaker, pointing to a brown
plumaged. lively fellow, who hoped con-
tinuously from one perch 10 another,
while occasionally there gushed from its
throat food of rich and exquisite melody
''rhat is the Irish thrush They are also
found in Germany, and are among the
sweetest sOngsters we import.
''The magpie is another stranger, and,
though looked upon as nuisance in his
native British isles, is esteemed of much
value. IIe can be taught TO speak and is
as you see. quite handsome bird. He will
kill the young of other birds, however,
and suck the eggs laid by game-birds in
the old country. His half-brother the En-
glish crow, is also in considerable demand
in Chicago. BY splitting the tongue of the
crow the bird can be made TO speak.
Pigeons and doves are the favorite pets OF
boys and very young gentlemen who want
to mako presents TO their very pretty and
very young lady friends, but the canary il
the favorite Songster and meets with the
readiest sale of ALL